Pandemic tourism: Thailand launches Phuket sandbox plan | Business and finance

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PHUKET, Thailand (AP) – Thailand embarked on an ambitious but risky plan on Thursday that it hopes will breathe new life into a tourism industry devastated by the pandemic, opening the popular resort island of Phuket fully vaccinated foreigners from low risk countries.

Upon arrival of the first flight, airport fire trucks detonated their water cannons to form an arch over Abu Dhabi’s Etihad jet as it rolled to its door.

Leaving the airport, Frenchman Bruno Souillard said he had dreamed of returning to Thailand for a year and jumped at the opportunity.

“I am very, very happy,” said the 60-year-old tourist.

The ‘Phuket sandbox’ program comes as coronavirus infections rise in Thailand, including a significant number of cases of the Delta variant, and many have questioned whether it was too early to attract tourists and whether they would return in significant number in any case due to the restrictions they will always face.

But the number of new cases on the island itself is extremely low, single digits per day, and more than 70% of its residents are fully vaccinated. The government is betting that travelers will be willing to accept coronavirus regulations for the opportunity to have a beach vacation after being locked in their home country for months.

Before the pandemic, the tourism sector accounted for around 20% of the Thai economy and 95% of Phuket’s income.

The resort island off the south coast received less than half a million visitors in the first five months, and almost no foreigners, up from more than 3 million in the same period last year, including some 2 million foreigners.

Winking at the importance of the sandbox plan, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha traveled to Phuket to attend the launch in person.

He stressed that the sandbox was only the first step towards its goal announced in June of fully reopening Thailand within 120 days.

“This reopening is linked not only to Phuket but also to the whole country,” he said.

Last minute issues in some program details and warnings from authorities that if cases start to increase on the island, additional restrictions may be needed – or it may be necessary to shut down completely – resulting in cancellations even before to begin. Fewer than 250 international travelers were expected on the first day compared to the initial target of 1,500.

But as the issues are resolved and people report their firsthand experiences, officials are hoping for a steady increase in the numbers. From July 1 to July 15, there are currently 1,101 hotel reservations for a total of 13,116 overnight stays.

Travelers to other parts of Thailand are subject to a strict 14-day hotel room quarantine, but as part of the sandbox plan, visitors to Phuket will be allowed to roam the entire island – the most large of the country – where they can lounge on the white sand beaches, jet ski and enjoy the evenings at the restaurant, although the clubs and bars remain closed.

Only visitors from countries considered not to be ‘low’ or ‘medium’ risk – a list currently including most of Europe and the Middle East, the US, Canada, Great Britain , Australia and New Zealand – are allowed, and they are to fly directly to Phuket, although plans are underway to allow carefully controlled transfers through Bangkok airport.

After the inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi, passengers were due to arrive later Thursday from Qatar, Israel and Singapore.

Adult foreign visitors must provide proof of two vaccinations, a negative COVID-19 test no later than 72 hours before departure and proof of an insurance policy covering treatment against the virus of at least $ 100,000, among others. Once on the island, they must follow mask and distancing regulations and take three COVID-19 tests at their own expense – around $ 300 in total – and show negative results.

After 14 days, visitors can travel elsewhere in Thailand.

Increase reported from Bangkok. Associated Press writer Chalida Ekvittayavechnukul in Bangkok contributed to this report.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.



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